A dissertation completed at
The Center for Education, Widener University,
One University Place, Chester, PA 19013 		 
THE MODERN RED SCHOOLHOUSE REFORM MODEL AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO SCHOOL CLIMATE AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Darlene Groves Davis
Monday, March 11, 2002

RETURN
edited 11/03/02

 

ABSTRACT


The purpose of this study was to examine the Modern Red Schoolhouse (MRSh) design and its relationship to school climate and student achievement. Modern Red Schoolhouse is a comprehensive school reform design as defined in legislation by the U.S. Department of Education (Public Law 105-78).

Comprehensive school reform focuses on reorganizing and revitalizing entire schools. Through this approach, fundamental change must involve all the main components of school culture along with structure, policy, and regulations.

The goals of this study are to examine the full implementation of the Modern Red Schoolhouse design in order to (a) investigate any relationship between the Modern Red Schoolhouse design and school climate and (b) investigate any relationship between Modern Red Schoolhouse design and student achievement.

In conducting this qualitative research, a multi-site case study was employed. one day was spent at five different sites to observe implementation of the Modern Red Schoolhouse design. Site visits included interviews with administrators and teachers. Classroom observations were also part of the research design. Schools selected for the study were identified by the Modern Red Schoolhouse developers as having successfully implemented the design and had been involved in comprehensive school reform for three or more years.

This study contributes to the body of research addressing the need for comprehensive school reform through the lens of the Modern Red Schoolhouse design model. In the study conclusions are drawn about the relationship of the Modern Red Schoolhouse design to school climate and student achievement. This study hopes to provide information for schools considering adoption of a comprehensive approach to school reform as well as schools currently involved in a school reform design. Finally, this study looks to contribute to the body of research addressing the impact of the Modern Red Schoolhouse design on school climate and student achievement.


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